Surfaces, Interfaces and 2D Materials Research Group

Surfaces, Interfaces and 2D Materials Research Group (SIMAT) investigates the properties of surfaces, thin films, layered and atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) materials. The research combines experimental and theoretical approaches with the aim of understanding and optimizing the properties of these materials.

Research Areas

Experimental studies focus on the development and improvement of synthesis and fabrication methods for 2D materials and their heterostructures, as well as other nanometer-thin materials. Tuning the properties of 2D materials is achieved through chemical engineering (variation of chemical composition, defect control, intercalation, functionalization) and mechanical engineering by applying strain. Research also targets the development of sensors for applications in flexible (opto)electronics, (bio)sensing, and nanofluidics.

Theoretical research is centered on the analysis of phonon dynamics and electron–phonon coupling in quantum correlated materials using first-principles methods and density functional theory (DFT).

The group’s research topics include:

light–matter interactions with atomically thin structures at the nanoscale
effects in ferroelectric nanometer-thin films
boron-based 2D materials
molecular functionalization of 2D materials
coupling of biomolecular motors with nanopores in 2D materials
plasmons and exciton–polaritons in quasi-2D crystals
organic–semiconductor nanostructures on 2D TMD materials

Research Methods

To investigate surface and nanoscale properties, the group employs:

Synthesis: chemical vapor deposition (CVD), chemical vapor transport (CVT), molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), micromechanical exfoliation
Microscopy: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), near-field optical microscopy (sSNOM), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), nonlinear optical microscopy
Spectroscopy: angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES), Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), nano-FTIR, ultrafast pump–probe spectroscopy
Devices: electron-beam lithography (EBL), micromechanical stacking, transport measurements